Nikon today announced two lenses for DX users: the US$450 35mm f/1.7 DX, and the US$900 16-50mm f/2.8 VR DX. So we get a fast normal internal focus prime that's nearly macro (1:1.49), plus the fast mid-range zoom that everyone's wanted since day one (though it's a 24-75mm equivalent, not 24-120mm equivalent as some would have hoped). Just in time for the holidays, and small enough to fit under any tree.
It's interesting that Nikon stepped on no Chinese toes with these specific formulations. Couple Nikon's now seven DX options with the nine Viltrox APS-C (DX) options, and there's solid DX-appropriate-size lens coverage now from 9mm to 75mm (14 to 105mm equivalent), plus two lenses that bridge into telephoto, where the FX options also would be highly viable. Add in the other Chinese vendors and Sigma, and there's plenty of lens choice now for DX users. I'll have more to say about this as some new lens reviews start hitting.
It's also interesting to look at the Z system product release progression. October is certainly a common Nikon target date. Widen that a little bit and you get 7 cameras and 19 lenses launched in the "fall window" of September to November. The other 8 cameras and 25 lenses seem to be in a strange scatter that appears to be skewing earlier and earlier each year outside of a decided February Lens launch proclivity.
Is Nikon done for 2025? I don't think so. I believe we'll get another lens drop (or two) before the end of the year. Announcing these specific DX lenses is leading some to now tell me they expect a new DX body soon (those folk weren't saying this prior to this DX lens launch). I'm not so sure about that, though both the Zfc and Z30 haven't made it to the Z9 generation. I'd say that these two lenses strengthen the likelihood of Z50II selling well through the upcoming holiday buying period; the Z50II suddenly looks like an even more capable, serious, and up-to-date camera when you put the 16-50mm f/2.8 VR DX on it instead of the older kit lens.
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Bonus: Yesterday's NX Studio update (1.10.0) introduced two new functions: Film grain and Dehaze. Hmm, I thought Film grain was supposed to be part of a Picture Control update to the Zf firmware. Instead, Film grain is outside the Picture Control settings in NX Studio, which implies YAMI (Yet Another Menu Item). At least we now know the parameters: a 1 to 6 Intensity and a Small, Medium, or Large size.
